Auriemma, Dailey Finish Second In Mini Golf Event In Cromwell

Head coach Geno Auriemma and associate head coach Chris Dailey have been a part of eight national championships and 839 wins in 28 seasons together at UConn. Finishing second is not something they accept.

Yet, that is where Auriemma and Dailey finished in the inaugural Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament today at TPC River Highlands. Joined by Damon Hack, a host of the Morning Drive on the Golf Channel, they earned a 64 over the nine-hole course.

The trio of Brad Drazen, Amy Parmenter and Monica Buchanan from NBC Connecticut finished first with a 59.

“When we got that second-place trophy it almost felt like the U.S. team at the ’72 Olympics,’’ Auriemma said. “I wanted to walk off the stage there and say, `We don’t accept second-place trophies.’ But it was all in fun. And the people … You could tell they had fun competing and I think that’s the most fun part.’’

Daily placed blame on Auriemma for the runner-up finish. She said he hit his ball in the mulch and four-putted on one hole.

“Had Geno not done that we would’ve have won the whole thing,’’ Dailey said. “It was a bad putt. It cost us the match.’’

Dailey would go on …

“It was really lot of fun,’’ she said. “It was a lot more competitive and a lot harder than I thought. And next year they’re going to do a windmill. And I said they should do a water hole. We’ll see next year. I’m going to practice before next year.’’